A MAN used a magic key to commit a spate of burglaries and thefts in sewage pumping stations in Cheshire and Flintshire, causing a potential danger.

The stolen abloy key fitted all the stations and Tecwyn Woodward – who previously worked for Arfon Rewinds, which had a contract with Welsh Water– stole one and then broke into a number of them.

Mold Crown Court, sitting in Chester, heard Welsh Water had to spent £43,000 either replacing stolen metal or cables, repairing damage caused and upgrading their security.

But it was stressed on Woodward’s behalf that while he admitted 11 burglaries and four theft offences, his basis of plea meant the value of the property he had stolen was in the region of £2,000.

The court heard the raids had also created a danger – for in some cases he had stolen earthing cables which could have exposed visiting workers to high voltage electricity. Where stations had been left open there was also a potential danger to the public.

Woodward, 43, of Maes Glas in Treuddyn, near Mold, received a 51 week prison sentence suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and was sent on a financial management course run by the probation service.

Defending barrister John Hedgecoe

said Woodward had pursued several years of honest, hard work to support his wife and two daughters. They were now struggling to some extent on benefits.